A crush is a natural reaction to someone or something that makes you feel like your entire world is centered on them. Whether it’s the person who sits next to you in your favorite class or the girl at the coffee shop, crushes make you feel inexplicably happy and connected. It’s also a normal part of human development, according to Stephanie Cacioppo, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at The University of Chicago.
When you have a crush, your heart rate increases, you get butterflies in your stomach, and your palms become sweaty. It feels like a rollercoaster ride you’re not in control of, but you can stop it once you consciously notice the feeling.
You shouldn’t act on your crush unless you’re sure it’s what you want to do, and that you’re not doing anything illegal or hurting anyone else. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, ask your friends for help.
It’s a good idea to be upfront with your partner about your feelings and intentions before acting on them. It’s also a good idea to think about any mutually agreed upon boundaries or commitments you have with them.
Crushes can be a sign of attraction and desire for a person, but they’re usually not meant to lead to a relationship. They’re a way to test boundaries, manage feelings of longing, and practice managing relationships, as well as to set goals or expectations about future potential partners.
However, a crush can be problematic in some contexts, including if it leads to a negative or unstable relationship. This is because it can be easier for people to start a new relationship when they’re still in love with the first one, so their attraction may be more heightened and difficult to control.
A crush is a form of attraction that happens more quickly than falling in love, which requires time to develop and a longer process of interaction, Cacioppo told INSIDER. The brain releases mood-boosting hormones, such as dopamine and oxytocin, when you’re in a crush.
But that doesn’t mean you have to go crazy or make a fool of yourself trying to win their heart. Instead, be honest with your crush and let them know how much you care about them. You should also be open about what you’re thinking and if you’d like to pursue the relationship further.
Your crush might be in a committed relationship with another person. If they are, they might be afraid you’ll be a distraction or cause problems in their current relationship. They might also have other partners or family members who aren’t happy about the idea of you getting involved in a new relationship with them.
They might have a lot of friends who aren’t on your crush’s side. If they do, it’s a sign that they’re not interested in you and that you should consider your options before you start pursuing them.
Crush is a film that doesn’t shy away from portraying queerness and sex positively, but it can also be very sexist. Its characters are party-happy, but they’re hardly asexual and seem to have little concern for each other’s sexuality or identity. That’s a refreshing change, but it also can make the story feel shallow and artificial.